Scutching-machine.



W. B. GRAY. SGUTGHIN G MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED APB..6., 1909.

Patented Dec. 8,1908.

I? FIGJ.

my '4J55 W. B. GRAY.

SOUTGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED. APR. 6, 190a.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

2 SHEETSL-BHBBT a.

FIG.5.

Fl.G.4-.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM BENJAMIN GRAY, OF GLENANNE, IRELAND.

SCUTGHING-M ACHINE T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM BENJAMIN GRAY, residing at Glenanne, CountyArmagh, Ireland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inScutching-Hachines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for scutching flaxand other like fibers in the process of cleaning and removing the woodyparticles from the fiber of the class in which the fiber is held in anip and acted upon by relatively moving bars which partially wrap thefibrous material about themselves and drag it over their edges.

The object of the invention is to construct a simple inexpensive andeffective apparatus for beating and cleaning the fiber without breakingor damaging it.

Referring. to the drawings which form a part of thisspecification-Figure 1 is an end elevation of a machine constructedaccording to this invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine.Fig. 3 is a sectional diagram showing the fiber and apron in full linesand in dotted lines the fiber and apron being passed through and overthe stationary bars. Fig. 4 illustrates the movement of the barscompleted to the right and about to make the return movement in theopposite direction as indicated by arrows.

According to this invention at 1 is a holder or nipping jaw for holdingthe fiber suspend ed to be operated upon.

At 22 are stationary cross bars carried by bridges 2* 2- and bolted tothe framework 2 2 and from one of the said bars referably the higher oneis suspended a iianging sheet or apron 3 of linen or other like materialsaid sheet-or apron extending along part of the width of the machine.

At 444 are similar cross bars or beaters the ends of the latter beingattached to and carried by the arms 5-5 carried by and free to rock oroscillate upon the cross shaft 6 motion being given to the arms 5 5through the rods 7*? attached to the shaft 8 and to the eccentrics orcranks 9-9 the latter being operated through the shaft 10 by pulley 11and strap 12 and on the shaft 10 is a fly or balance wheel 13.

The action of the machine and its operation are as folloWs:On thedriving strap 12 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 6, 1908.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

Serial No. 425,468.

being transferred from the loose to the fast pulley the shaft 10 andeccentrics or cranks 9 by means of the connecting rods or links 77impart to the cross shaft 8 and to the arms 5' 5 a rocking oroscillating motion on the shaft 6 whereby the cross bars 4+l4 arecarried into and through the spaces between the stationary bars 22 andwhen by the continued movement of the bars 44 4 the fiber 14 and apron 3have been carried clear and off the stationary bars 22 the fibers 14 andapron 3 then drop or fall into the vertical position hanging down on theopposite side of the stationary bars (see Fig. 4) ready for the returnsweep of the bars f44 which will carry the fiber and apron between thebars 2-2 to their original position and so on at each sweep of themoving bars l 44 the fiber 14 and apron 3 are passed and repassed fromleft to right through the grating formed by the stationary bars 2-2until through the beating and rubbing action of the movable bars 4 4aupon the fiber 14 the desired result and effect are attained. The apron3 operates as a retarder or brake upon the fiber by preventing the tooeasy and smooth passage way of the fiber through the bars and insuresthe requisite beating and rubbing action of the bars upon the fiber.

in practice I find that a reciprocating speed of from to 80 beats perminute effects the desired result and it will be under stood that thelength or radius of the sweep of the moving bars can be adjustedaccording to the length of staple of the fiber being 0 eratcd upon byvarying the height of t re shaft 8 in the slots 15*15 in the arms 5-5.So likewise the form in cross section of the movable and fixed bars maybe varied but the section shown in the drawings I have found welladapted for the purpose and use designed or the sheet or apron 3 may beattached to one or other of the movable bars ll4.

In Fig. 2 I have shown one holder 1 and a short length of apron 3 onlybut it will be understood that nearly the whole of the operating lengthof the bars 2 and 4 is occupied by the holders 1 the fiber 14 and theapron 3. The width to be occupied by the apron 3 may be varied accordingto the degree of drag necessary to give the fiber according to thelength of staple and bulk under operation. The holders 1 are insuccession )ut into position in a slide 1 say from the left hand side ofthe machine and removed from opposite end when the requisite beating andcleansing has been efiected. I do not limit the invention to the numberof bars to three moving bars and two stationary bars as the number ofeither the fixed or the moving bars may be varied according to thenature and condition of the fiber to be operated upon.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In a scutohing-machine, the combination,with stationary crossbars arranged one above another, and an apron offlexible Inaterial depending from the upper crossbar; of a support forthe fibers arranged above the said crossbars, a frame provided withcurved bridges for supporting the said crossbars, arms pivoted in thesaid frame and provided with crossbars which work between the saidstationary crossbars and bridges, and means for oscillating the saidarms to transfer the said apron and the fibers from one side to the vother of the said stationary crossbars and to drag the fiberslongitudinally over the surfaces of the said apron.

2. In a scutching-machine, the combination, with stationary crossbarsarranged one above another, and an apron of flexible material dependingfrom the upper crossbar; of means for suspending the fibers over thesaid crossbars, movable crossbars arranged intermediate of the saidstationary crossbars, and means for oscillating the said movablecrossbars to transfer the said apron and the fibers from one side to theother of the said stationary crossbars and to drag the fiberslongitudinally over the surfaces of the said apron.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

I/VILLIAM BENJAMIN GRAY.

Witnesses J. H. GRAY, JOHN MCGAUGHEY.

